"The Grand Scream Of Things is like Fibber Magee and Molly meets Sponge Bob on a Halloween Day packed with more stream of consciousness adventure than even Jame Joyce Could conjure up."
~ Elizabeth Waldman Frazier,
Waldmania PR

"A cool little corner of the
children's music world"
~ Shakefire

"The songs and skits are fun without being too scary, which makes them great for
school-age kids"
~ The ABCD Diaries

"The Grand Scream Of Things is screamtastic seasonal fun,
highly recommended"
~ Midwest Book Review

"The Grand Scream Of Things
is a blast!"
~ Mommy Moments

THE DREAM

The Grand Scream Of Things is a story about a boy named Andy Z who has one more chance to fully participate in everything Halloween (most importantly, to finally win 1st prize in the local costume contest- an accomplishment that has eluded him thus far) before he's considered too old to do so- but is forced to choose between this final opportunity to shine, and finding a young witch named Sandy who is revealed to him in a dream as losing her magic wand and being lost somewhere in Andyland.

He chooses begrudgingly to find the witch with the help of his faithful dog Reggie, chum Danger Dude, and alien “girl” friend (or is it girlfriend?) Pleadia. This quest for the witch takes Andy and friends through the “punkin” patch, to the school where teacher Jam Master Z gets them a cooking lesson from the Bakin’ Fools, and finally to the amusement park (with skater Blue The Rat) where they must enter the feared Bouncy House Of Horrors.

Andy does ultimately find Sandy Witch, but he also learns: it's not “the treats you eat” but “the friends you meet” that matter most.

A multiple award-winning audioplay by Andy Z, including 10 original songs and featuring guest vocals
by prominent kindie artists and contributions from celebrated musicians and arrangers.

THE TEAM

A Cast members (left to right): Jonathan Murphy (Danger Dude), Franki Cricchio (Pleadia), Stephen Moss (Jam Master Z), Victor Escobedo (Reggie), Andy Z at The Annex Recording Studios, Menlo Park, CA.
Photo by Justin Miel

Andy teamed up with Grammy-nominated producer Tor Hyams to record his fifth studio album, a Halloween-themed audio play titled “The Grand Scream Of Things”

This ambitious project, driven by Andy’s quest to bring a new vista to the landscape of music for the 8 to 12 year old set. features guest vocals by contemporaries Paula Messner (Candy Band) and RhymeZwell.

The top-notch instrumentalists heard on The Grand Scream Of Things include Greg Ellis (drums and percussion) and Geoff Pearlman (guitar, bass).

Also contributing to the project are San Francisco based Mike Olmos (trumpet), Bobby Strickland (saxophones), and Mike Rinta (trombone), who, collectively, have played with everyone from Santana, The Grateful Dead, Sly & The Family Stone and Todd Rundgren to Etta James, Herbie Hancock and Taj Mahal.

THE MUSIC

The Grand Scream Of Things

Andy Z

Buy album

A Hallow“tween” audio play packed with engaging songs and captivating characters that portray a Halloween adventure about a witch who’s lost her way and a boy who discovers his.

Multiple Award-Winning "The Grand Scream Of Things" CD includes a booklet of character images, and an illustrations depicting key scenes of the audio play!

~ "The Grand Scream of Things is scream-tastic seasonal fun, highly recommended." - Midwest Book Review.

~ "There's lots to love about this CD. It fills a tricky spot in the tween market in a creative and engaging way."
Babyology, Australia

~ "The Grand Scream Of Things is like Fibber McGee and Molly meets Sponge Bob on Halloween Day packed with more stream of consciousness adventure than even James Joyce could conjure up."
- Elizabeth Waldman Frazier, Waldmania PR

~ "A cool little corner of the Children's music world." - Shakefire.

Andy has teamed up with Grammy-nominated producer Tor Hyams to record his fifth studio album, a Halloween-themed audio play titled “The Grand Scream Of Things” released October 9th, 2012. This ambitious project is driven by Andy’s quest to bring a new vista to the landscape of music for grade school-aged kids, and features guest vocals by contemporaries Paula Messner (Candy Band) and RhymeZwell.

The album also features prominent arranger Mike Rinta (trombone), Bobby Strickland (saxophone) and Mike Olmos (trumpet). These guys collectively have played with everyone from Santana, Grateful Dead, Sly & The Family Stone and Todd Rundgren to Etta James, Herbie Hancock and Taj Mahal.

1

Which Witch Is This? 0:58

0:00/0:58
2

The Early Of Sandy Witch 5:28

0:00/5:28
3

When You're A Dog 3:26

0:00/3:26
4

Interlude With Danger Dude 2:05

0:00/2:05
5

Punkin' Patch 1:59

0:00/1:59
6

The Goodness Of Maze 2:41

0:00/2:41
7

Pleadia 3:05

0:00/3:05
8

Pleadia And Gentlemen 2:42

0:00/2:42
9

Andy's Cyrano 1:51

0:00/1:51
10

When Life Gives You Pumpkins 2:25

0:00/2:25
11

How We Roll 4:11

0:00/4:11
12

Boy Interrupted...Again 1:47

0:00/1:47
13

The Boys In The Band 0:53

0:00/0:53
14

Alien Girlfriend 2:57

0:00/2:57
15

The Sound Of One Wand Sinking 6:05

0:00/6:05
16

The Right Thing 2:55

0:00/2:55
17

Z-Piphany 2:27

0:00/2:27
18

Blue The Rat (That's Me!) 1:50

0:00/1:50
19

The Rat Pack 1:04

0:00/1:04
20

Bouncy House Of Horrors 2:57

0:00/2:57
21

The Grand Scream Of Things 4:27

0:00/4:27
22

A Glowing Example 3:51

0:00/3:51
23

Friends (Finale) 3:26

0:00/3:26

THE VIDEOS

THE ARTWORK

Press / Reviews

THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW: "THE GRAND SCREAM OF THINGS"

THE ABCD DIARIES BLOG REVIEW: "THE GRAND SCREAM OF THINGS"

SHAKEFIRE.COM REVIEW: "THE GRAND SCREAM OF THINGS'' - by AJ Garcia

Press photos

Andy Z Headshot

ABOUT ANDY

ANDY Z

Family Music Artist, Singer-Songwriter

Andy Z is a multiple award-winning children's performer, singer/songwriter and educator who combines music, movement, storytelling and character puppets to create an experience that keeps kids engaged and families entertained. Andy's performances have earned him rave reviews and high-profile appearances on the Pandora Video Series, Pottery Barn Kids Stylehouse website, and at Austin City Limits Music Festival, and Strings Music Festival.

In addition to performing live for hundreds of audiences every year, Andy has guest deejayed on the national radio shows Spare The Rock Spoil The Child and Hilltown Family Variety Show. Andy's music has been heard on NBC's Today Show and has received many accolades, including Parent’s Choice, NAPPA & (Disney Family’s) iParenting Media Award.